It was clearly agreed that Yue Ning would come to pick her up, so why was it Yan Chi again?
Qin Guan hesitated inwardly, but her steps carried her toward Yan Chi.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince—"
Yan Chi's luxurious robes were dark as night, with faint golden patterns shimmering under the warm autumn sun, exuding an air of noble restraint. He stood idly, yet his imposing presence alone was enough to make the Qin Manor's gatekeepers hold their breath. When Qin Guan emerged, Yan Chi's indifferent gaze swept over her, studying her...
Under his shadowed scrutiny, Qin Guan suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
She certainly hadn't forgotten how she and Yue Ning had suspected Yan Chi that day—their departure had been nothing short of disgraceful!
"Let's go." After observing Qin Guan for a moment, Yan Chi suddenly spoke.
Qin Guan exhaled in relief, only to look up and see that it was still a carriage today. Did this mean she would have to share the ride with Yan Chi again?
Sharing a carriage wasn't the frightening part—what truly unsettled her was the unusually intense aura Yan Chi carried today.
Steeling herself, Qin Guan climbed into the carriage!
As the curtain fell, the interior darkened.
Yan Chi, clad entirely in black, seemed to blend into the shadows, his expression inscrutable. Yet, Qin Guan found herself distracted by his hands—why was he using his left one?
"What are you looking at?"
Yan Chi's voice carried a hint of danger, prompting Qin Guan to lift her gaze.
Yan Chi raised his left hand slightly, frowning. "Is there something wrong with my hand?"
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, meeting his dark, unfathomable eyes before suddenly asking, "Can Your Highness write with your left hand?"
Yan Chi's obsidian pupils sharpened, a flicker of realization flashing in his gaze. The corner of his mouth quirked, though his eyes remained cold. "Not only can I write with my left hand, but I can also wield a blade..."
Qin Guan couldn't tell if he was joking or serious, her brows knitting together.
"Your Highness must know the entire Marquis's estate is searching for a left-handed person?"
Yan Chi nodded. "So?"
Qin Guan couldn't help but feel anxious. "Right now, Your Highness is the only left-handed person they know of."
The carriage began moving. As the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations were underway, the city of Jinzhou was far livelier than usual. The clamor of the crowd seeped through the windows, yet the air inside the carriage felt frozen.
"You suspect me?" Yan Chi's question was even more dangerous now, as though a single nod from her would seal her fate within these walls.
Qin Guan's eyes darted briefly. "I wouldn't say 'suspect'... but Your Highness does use your left hand, doesn't you?"
Yan Chi smirked, though his gaze remained icy. "In your mind, could I be the murderer?"
Qin Guan inwardly shook her head, but her words faltered slightly. "Suspecting Your Highness lacks sufficient evidence."
Yan Chi gave a slow nod. "At least you remember there's insufficient evidence."
Her voice softened, tinged with unease. If she were honest, her suspicion of Yan Chi rested solely on his left-handedness—something even she found flimsy. She forced a smile. "Naturally, otherwise—"
"Otherwise, you'd have already reported me?"
Caught off guard, Qin Guan felt even more awkward. "Your Highness need not worry. Determining the truth is the Prefect's duty—I won't interfere." Quickly changing the subject, she asked, "How is Your Highness's injury?"
Yan Chi let out a light scoff. "It doesn't seem to be healing."
Qin Guan blinked. "How so? Did Your Highness exert yourself or ride again?"
Yan Chi tilted his chin slightly. "I did nothing. The wound simply aches unbearably."Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat—could it be that the potent prescription she had used was actually wrong?
Yan Chi's injuries were extremely severe. If the prescription she had applied was unsuitable, it might not only fail to accelerate healing but could even worsen the festering of his wounds. Though Qin Guan had always been confident in her medical skills, Yan Chi's life was far more important in comparison. Under his firm tone, she actually doubted herself for once.
Qin Guan lifted the carriage curtain and saw they were heading toward the southern part of the city. She suggested, "Your Highness, why not divert the carriage to the Marquis's residence? I can examine your injuries. If the prescription is unsuitable, it should be changed."
Yan Chi raised a brow, seemingly surprised that Qin Guan wanted to check his wounds immediately. Meeting her clear, limpid eyes, like a shallow stream, an amusing thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"The Grand Princess has also come out today and is currently waiting for you. It wouldn't do to turn back now," Yan Chi said coolly, his voice carrying an imposing chill. After a pause, he added, "Besides, my injuries are hardly worth mentioning."
Qin Guan's expression turned serious. "Your Highness's wounds are severe. If they worsen, they could become life-threatening. At the very least, they may leave lasting complications. You are still young now, but in a few years, you might suffer from constant illness. How would you be able to go to the battlefield then?"
When discussing serious matters, Qin Guan always carried an air of meticulous solemnity—one that Yan Chi found utterly captivating. After a brief moment of consideration, he reluctantly conceded, "Very well, then. You may examine them in the carriage."
Qin Guan arched a brow. In the carriage? The lighting inside was dim, but if they truly couldn't return to the Marquis's residence, it would have to do. After all, once they reached the lakeside, it would be even more impossible to inspect his injuries in front of the Anyang Marquis's family.
Focused entirely on the matter at hand, Qin Guan failed to notice the strange, shimmering amusement in Yan Chi's eyes.
"Very well. Please loosen your robes, Your Highness."
Qin Guan had compromised, but Yan Chi took his time, as if reluctant to be examined in the carriage. Qin Guan didn't press him. For some reason, ever since she had doubted him last time, she had felt somewhat guilty in his presence.
As Yan Chi slowly undid his robes, the carriage raced onward. Qin Guan calculated the time—it would take nearly half an hour to reach the lakeside. Surely, she would have enough time to examine his wounds and even change the dressing before then!
Her mind settled, she watched as Yan Chi leisurely pulled down both his outer robe and inner garment, baring his chest.
Only then did Qin Guan suddenly realize something felt off.
The carriage was cramped and narrow, and Yan Chi was now half-naked before her. Had this been in a room at the Marquis's residence, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but here, it felt somewhat... improper. As a physician, Qin Guan wasn't as affected as most would be, but there was still a faint hint of awkwardness. Steadying herself, she said, "Please turn around, Your Highness..."
Yan Chi obligingly turned to the side. At this angle, Qin Guan realized the situation wasn't as dire as she had feared.
When Yan Chi had said his wounds weren't healing, she had assumed they weren't improving at all. But given the severity of his injuries, they naturally wouldn't heal overnight. So why had he claimed they were causing him extreme discomfort? Qin Guan examined them closely, lifting a corner of the neatly wrapped bandage with her fingertips. She pulled aside a section of the curtain to check—there was no bleeding, no further signs of festering. In fact, the edges of the wound had even begun to form a layer of pale pink new flesh. The medicine she had used was clearly working well...Qin Guan focused her gaze. "Your Highness, what do you mean by discomfort from the wound?"
Yan Chi remained turned slightly away, pausing before replying, "An unbearable itch."
Qin Guan's eyes widened slightly. "Your Highness has been through countless battles—this isn't your first injury. Surely you know wounds itch as they heal?"
Yan Chi's tone was solemn. "This itch is unlike any before."
Qin Guan was both amused and exasperated. "That's because the medicine I use is different from others."
As she spoke, she noticed the carriage, which had been moving swiftly, began to slow. The streets were bustling today, so she paid little mind to the deceleration. Seeing Yan Chi's wound showing signs of improvement, her heart settled. She let the curtain fall back and retreated slightly. "Your Highness's injury is nothing serious—you can rest easy. Today, I've brought new medicine that will work even better."
As she moved back, Yan Chi turned and continued dressing at a leisurely pace.
Just then, the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. What now? They couldn't possibly have reached Lishui Lake this quickly.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than she heard footsteps approaching the carriage. Assuming Yan Chi had made some other arrangement along the way, she barely had time to process the idea before the carriage curtain was suddenly flung open with great force.
"Ninth Miss is—"
The word "here" died on Yue Qing's lips as he froze like a puppet outside the carriage.
His eyes took in the scene clearly: inside the carriage, Yan Chi was fastening his undone robes. Both his outer and inner garments were open, and though his expression remained as haughty and imposing as ever, the sight within the confined space of the carriage was undeniably suggestive. Qin Guan sat nearby, her face composed as if nothing were amiss. Yue Qing stood rigid, the curtain still held high in his hand—ensuring not only he, but also Grand Princess and Madam of Anyang Marquis standing a few paces behind him, witnessed the scene.
Qin Guan glanced at Yan Chi, then at the expressions on the Yue family's faces, and suddenly realized the misunderstanding had grown rather significant.
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